Why should a company care about Website Accessibility
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Website accessibility refers to the design and development of websites that are easy to use and navigate for everyone. This includes people with disabilities like:
- Blindness and low vision
- Deafness and hearing loss
- Mobility impairments, such as paralysis and amputation
According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion people worldwide have some form of disability.
While Covid-19 restrictions are lifted in most countries by 2023, the pandemic has permanently accelerated the shift toward digitalization and online services.
Why companies should care about Website Accessibility
There are a couple of reasons why businesses want to address Website Accessibility:
Free website Accessibility check
2.Legal Compliance
Some countries and states have laws public sector and in a lot of cases private sector to make their websites accessible. In many countries, including the United States, Canada, and European Union member states, there are laws and regulations (upcoming) that require websites to be accessible to people with disabilities.
Check out the accessibility checker for a detailed description of accessibility legislation.
3.Business Advantage
Website accessibility can also provide a business advantage. By ensuring that websites are accessible to everyone, businesses can expand their customer base and reach new markets.
People with disabilities represent a significant market segment, with an estimated $8 trillion in disposable income worldwide. By making websites accessible, businesses can tap into this market and increase their revenue potential.
Furthermore, website accessibility can improve the overall user experience and satisfaction for all users, which can lead to increased customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.
4.Brand Reputation
Brand reputation is also closely tied to website accessibility. Inaccessible websites can create a negative image for businesses, which can lead to reputational damage and a loss of customer trust.
When businesses make website accessibility a priority, it demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and a positive brand image.
This can create a loyal customer base and generate positive word-of-mouth recommendations that enhance brand reputation. In short, investing in website accessibility is not just the right thing to do, it's also good for business.
Is your website accessible?
1.Social Responsibility
People with disabilities are a significant and often marginalized group that faces barriers to accessing information and services. By ensuring that websites are accessible to everyone, a business can fulfill its social responsibility by promoting equal access to people with disabilities.
Due to ongoing digitalization, more and more services are almost exclusively available online.
Industries experiencing rapid digitalization velocity include: